Online Nursing Continuing Education: A Basic Review of Patient Assessment Procedures and Techniques: UniNursety
A Basic Review of Patient Assessment Procedures and Techniques
CME Sponsor:
UniNursety
Location:
This is an online CME activity
Course Directors/Instructors: TBA
Number of Credits:
30 contact hours
Registration Fee:
$30
More Info
Detailed Description:
The ability to perform and document patient assessment procedures is vital to the practice of medicine - a complete and accurate assessment is the starting point to providing thorough patient care. This course is intended as a review of the processes and techniques associated with patient assessment. This course takes you step-by-step through each assessment procedure including techniques for effectively communicating the assessment process and findings to patients.
Progress in the science and technologies relating to patient assessment has placed increasing demands on non-physician health care professionals (from RNs and LVNs to Respiratory Care Practitioners). The integration of assessment with treatment is a necessary outcome of the growing complexity of the roles and functions being assumed by these non-physician caregivers.
It is no longer acceptable to initiate or alter therapy or treatments without careful consideration of the underlying disorder and its clinical manifestations. Since it is not possible for physicians to be experts in all the fields in which their allied health companions practice, decisions regarding when to begin, change, or end treatments or therapies must be based on tangible clinical evidence, with input from all caregivers.
Although the physician has primary responsibility for these decisions (not unlike the “captain of the ship” concept), it is essential for other caregivers to participate in the clinical decision-making process. In order to fulfill this role effectively, nurses and RCPs must assume responsibility for gathering and interpreting relevant patient data.
These non-physician caregivers have historically had the option of communicating with attending physicians regarding the patient’s prescribed therapeutic regimen. Lack of confidence and sometimes even fear of having their input rejected (and possibly disrespected) has inclined many caregivers to remain silent. This has resulted in the prescription and performance of numerous costly and unnecessary procedures (especially in the area of patient’s respiratory care).
Learning Objectives:
UniNursety
Location:
This is an online CME activity
Course Directors/Instructors: TBA
Number of Credits:
30 contact hours
Registration Fee:
$30
More Info
Detailed Description:
The ability to perform and document patient assessment procedures is vital to the practice of medicine - a complete and accurate assessment is the starting point to providing thorough patient care. This course is intended as a review of the processes and techniques associated with patient assessment. This course takes you step-by-step through each assessment procedure including techniques for effectively communicating the assessment process and findings to patients.
Progress in the science and technologies relating to patient assessment has placed increasing demands on non-physician health care professionals (from RNs and LVNs to Respiratory Care Practitioners). The integration of assessment with treatment is a necessary outcome of the growing complexity of the roles and functions being assumed by these non-physician caregivers.
It is no longer acceptable to initiate or alter therapy or treatments without careful consideration of the underlying disorder and its clinical manifestations. Since it is not possible for physicians to be experts in all the fields in which their allied health companions practice, decisions regarding when to begin, change, or end treatments or therapies must be based on tangible clinical evidence, with input from all caregivers.
Although the physician has primary responsibility for these decisions (not unlike the “captain of the ship” concept), it is essential for other caregivers to participate in the clinical decision-making process. In order to fulfill this role effectively, nurses and RCPs must assume responsibility for gathering and interpreting relevant patient data.
These non-physician caregivers have historically had the option of communicating with attending physicians regarding the patient’s prescribed therapeutic regimen. Lack of confidence and sometimes even fear of having their input rejected (and possibly disrespected) has inclined many caregivers to remain silent. This has resulted in the prescription and performance of numerous costly and unnecessary procedures (especially in the area of patient’s respiratory care).
Learning Objectives:
- List and explain the steps involved in conducting an initial physical assessment of the patient
- Identify the key elements of conducting patient interviews and taking and documenting a medical history
- Discuss the importance of radiographs, ECGs and various tests conducted in the patient assessment process
- Explain the role of “interpretation” of laboratory test data
